Brian Bowen II

Brian Bowen II's Biography

Brian Bowen II, born on October 2nd, 1998, is a consummate basketball professional, currently signed with the Stockton Kings of the NBA G League. Known for his exceptional skills on the court, his journey to professional basketball hasn’t been smooth. As he committed to Louisville Cardinals for his college basketball career, unforeseen circumstances marred his journey. A national college basketball corruption scandal suggested that his family had accepted payments for his decision to attend Louisville, leading to his suspension from the team. Undaunted, Bowen tried to play for the South Carolina Gamecocks, but an NCAA ruling prompted him to withdraw from both college and the 2018 NBA draft.

Growing up, Bowen earned the fitting nickname “Tugs” and demonstrated impressive prowess in high school basketball. Arsenal Tech (Indianapolis), followed by La Lumiere (La Porte), were the educational institutions where Bowen cultivated his skills. As a senior at La Lumiere, his achievements resonated across the basketball community – he led his team to clinch the National Championship at the high school tournament organized by Dick’s Sporting Goods.

In 2017, Bowen’s performances earned him a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, where he scored three points. The same year, he emerged triumphantly in the Jordan Brand Classic, bagging the co-MVP honor after scoring a game-high of 26 points.

As a five-star recruit in the class of 2017, his announcement of committing to Louisville was embraced with profound anticipation. Numerous other impressive offers from multiple universities including Michigan State, Arizona, UCLA, Oregon, Texas, DePaul, and Creighton, were testament to his potential and his reputation.

Despite the excitement, Bowen’s commitment to Louisville met an unfortunate episode. A scandal involving alleged payments to his family threw a wrench in his plans, leading to a suspension from all team activities. The incident led to the dismissal of Coach Rick Pitino and athletic director Tom Jurich from Louisville. Nonetheless, Bowen was cleared by the FBI in November of 2017. But it was clear that his prospects at Louisville were over. In January 2018, he enrolled at the University of South Carolina but due to noticeable hesitation from the NCAA, he withdrew his name from both college and the subsequent NBA draft.

Consequently, Bowen decided to pursue professional basketball, signing a contract with the Sydney Kings of the Australian NBL in August 2018, where he played 30 games, averaging 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. His impressive performance made him eligible for the 2019 NBA draft, but he went unselected. He, however, signed a two-way contract with the Indiana Pacers and their G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, where he averaged 16.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.

Bowen’s association with the Pacers ended in April 2021, leading him to sign a contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. It was a short-lived stint as he was waived prior to the start of the season. Leaving nothing to chance, he joined the Iowa Wolves as an affiliate player that same year. On January 2nd, 2024, Bowen joined the Windy City Bulls, only to be waived five days later.

In pursuit of steady ground, Bowen signed up with the Cleveland Charge, but ten days later, on January 30th, 2024, he was waived again. His resilience ultimately paid off when he joined the Stockton Kings on February 20, 2024, marking another milestone in his professional basketball journey.
In all of these experiences, Bowen has demonstrated a determined spirit, an unwavering commitment to the sport, and resilience in the face of adversity, making him a notable figure in the realm of professional basketball.